Sydney Metro
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UPDATE 22/8
The Victorian government was forced to spend $3.3m on short-term upgrades to the ageing Myki public transport ticketing system to be 4G-compatible because the new system would not be ready before the 3G network shuts down, data obtained by Guardian Australia reveals.
As a result of Telstra shutting down its 3G mobile network – now scheduled to cease operations at the end of October – $3.3m was used to upgrade card readers across the rail, tram and bus network to 4G to keep operating, Guardian Australia has learned.
The upgrade, described as a “short-term measure” to ensure service continuity, was completed in October last year. In April the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning refused to provide the figure for how much the upgrade cost, instead pointing to $543m in funding allocated in the latest state budget for ticketing system improvements as part of the overall $1.7bn Myki upgrade.
“It was necessary to complete these upgrades as soon as possible to ensure the retirement of the 3G network would have no impact on the public transport network,” a Victorian government spokesperson said. “We will replace more than 23,000 devices progressively over the coming years to unlock new payment options.”
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Rode the new Sydney Metro from Gadigal in the CBD to Chatswood and back and it was a unique experience to be able to see out the front window!
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Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will be closed from September 30, while it is converted into Sydney Metro’s City and Southwest Line. Three free bus routes will be introduced from the same day to carry passengers. However, the NSW Government has reportedly warned the closure could last longer than 12 months.
Campsie to Bankstown will be closed from September 21
Can’t see behind the paywall, but why would it take longer than 12 months? Most of the station upgrades have been done gradually over the last few years what more is there to do other than install platform screen doors?
Probably a lot of securing the corridor still to do, and lots of extensive testing of the platform/door interface (and any gap filler mechanisms) on those curved platforms. There’s heaps of current signalling equipment to be ripped out and finish the installation and testing of the new CBTC system. It all may happen in the 12 months however they’re likely just dulling expectations well ahead of time. Industrial action could delay things too so I’d say they’re just putting it out there that it may be longer.
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Tonight’s 9News Sydney has a report on the Sydney Metro Park & Ride at Tallawong, which became jam packed as more people tried out the recently opened Metro extension between Chatswood and Sydenham.
The classic Aussie solution to transport infrastructure.
Don’t worry about high density living around stations or better bus services so people can ride to their nearest station… let’s have everyone use a carpark!
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Then fine people when they have to park in other parks not made for transport. Lol.
The Victorian Government announced this morning that eTicketing would be available on long-distance V/Line train and coach services from September 18, allowing tickets to be displayed on passengers’ smartphones, similar to tickets bought via booking agencies or airline websites.
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Until they can build a new car park, easiest, quickest and best solution is to use another carpark or showground etc and operate a bus shuttle service to the train station from there.
This has been a classic case of poor planning and inadequate infrastructure to keep up with demand.
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Building a bigger carpark won’t solve the issue, it’ll just encourage even more people to drive and they’ll quickly be back at square one with people stuck parking miles away.
Better bus routes is the answer.
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People don’t like buses, particularly if you traveling from the outer suburbs to the inner city. They are too slow, bumpy and noisy compared to trains.
I think trains and local car parks are the answers, Gets more traffic off our roads too. More bike racks at train stations would help too.
I agree. Hence why you use local buses as feeder services towards the nearest Train or Metro station and have the mass transit mode carry people into work or the city.
So for the lady in that story, instead of driving aimlessly to Tallawong and the stations along the Metro line trying to find a carpark, she walks, bikes or drives a short distance to a bus stop near her home and buses to Tallawong station instead.
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I wonder what the passenger levels are like on the T1 Richmond line, now that you can travel on Metro from Tallawong all the way to the city? Maybe more buses are needed to connect between stations on the Richmond line and Tallawong station.
I doubt there would be much impact as there is a fair distance from Quakers Hill or Riverstone (nearest stations on the Richmond line to Tallawong @ 10 min drive or about 7 kms).